Rangatahi Programs Empowering Our Youth
Find clear answers to your questions about our community and cultural initiatives here.
What is the core mission of Meremere Puutaiao Society?
We foster community pride and environmental guardianship through cultural education.
Who can participate in the Rangatahi Program?
We welcome all people who feel a connection to Meremere Village, our awa and whenua. We foster connections with the local community and our youth, all of whom are eager to learn about their heritage and our surrounding environment. You are all welcome.
How does the Society support environmental stewardship?
By promoting kaitiakitanga, we encourage care for our land and waterways. We are connecting with the various enviromental agencies, stakeholders, farmers, businesses, IWI, hapu and our far wider community.
Where are the Society’s educational programs held?
Programs take place within the community and our local schools to enrich learning. We run a weekly ragatahi programme in collaboration with our teaching, sports and outdoor education community
Fostering Community Pride and Guardianship
Meremere Puutaiao Society is committed to strengthening community bonds by promoting kaitiakitanga, the guardianship of our whenua and awa. Our mission is to nurture cultural connection, environmental care, and youth education through programs like the Rangatahi initiative, inspiring pride and stewardship across generations.
Fostering Whakapapa and Guardianship of Our Land
Discover upcoming rangatahi activities and community gatherings designed to deepen connections, celebrate culture, and nurture our environment.
Rangatahi Workshops
Weekly Durring School Terms 2026
Join us for hands-on learning to strengthen our role as kaitiaki. Integrating Mātauranga Māori and exploring ways to educate and involve, and explore science in both a scientific and indigenous perspective, respecting the philosophies, values, and vision of the society and local community.
Meremere Community Expo
14th February 2026
Our responsibility as kaitiaki requires us to ‘keep well’ the mutual relationships between people, nature and our planet. We are committed to regenerating and protecting the mauri of our treasured taonga – te whānau, te awa, te whenua, te hāpori for present and future generations.
Join us for a celebration of all things Meremere. The focus of the expo is to introduce the community to the various stakeholders and agencies that connect with and engage in the holistic wellness of Meremere, Health providers, educators, sports bodies and our environmental guardians. The event will include an expo in the hall featuring various organisations working in the wetland space, including the regional council, district councils, the Ministry of Primary Industries, Fish and Game, NIWA, and Manaaki Land.
Put the date of 14th February 2026 in your diary now.
Te Araroa Walkway Integration
Ongoing, 2026
Building on the success of Meremere Puutaiao and our mahi for the Te Araroa walkway. To create connections to the Meremere Reserve (proposed heritage area), inviting people to spend more time in Meremere. Adding interpretive signage, carving and sculptures along the walkway to build pride of place in our community and for our visitors.
Enhance cultural heritage – continue the work, panels and storytelling from Te Araroa and to protect and interpret the historic Pā site, creating opportunities for storytelling, education, and cultural tourism.
Enable community use – provide access to spaces for recreation, gathering, and kai production that are accessible to the local community and public.
Protect and restore the environment –Kaitiaki for the reserve, restoring wetlands and native ecosystems, improving biodiversity and water quality.
Join us as we create educational activities – linking to economic growth, school engagement, and tourism initiatives. Become a volunteer in a collective effort to restore vibrance in our community by fostering connections to our awa, whenua, whanau and supporting their growth, health and wellbeing.
Meremere Puutaiao – Vision for Meremere Reserve
Ongoing, 2026
To create a safe, connected, cultural and ecological space that celebrates the original Pa site while supporting recreation, education and the strengthening of community relationships. Key components include connecting village recreational spaces, providing access via a connected pathway, developing gardens, and incorporating cultural features like waharoa (gateways) and sentry towers. To stage the development into manageable projects. Initial focus will be on access pathways linking the Meremere Community spaces between Heather Green Rd, Meremere School and the Meremere Reserve through to Springhill Rd. Addressing basic infrastructure (paths, fencing and amenities) before moving to more complex additions like camping facilities